WOI, IA
10-09-06
New Weapon in Meth Battle
Authorities have a new weapon in the fight against meth that could have national
and international implications.
Two Iowa State University researchers discovered that by adding calcium
nitrate to a popular meth ingredient, anhydrous ammonia, makes the substance
useless to meth cooks. The finding was the result of a six year project and more
than a million dollars. Iowa's Drug Czar says 93-percent of Iowa's meth labs use
anhydrous ammonia.
The Secretary of Agriculture says the calcium nitrate will not have any negative
impact on the environment or farm equipment. It will be used on a voluntary
basis and cost an estimated 24 dollars per injection per tank.